Zelensky tells injured Ukrainian soldiers in New York to ‘stay strong’

New York: More than 18 months into the war with Russia, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will appeal for more aid in order to keep his nation’s borders intact.

Arrived in New York on Monday, Zelensky will address the United Nations General Assembly where he is expected to raise his country’s concerns, according to news agency AFP.

In New York, Zelensky had to see the more horrendous side of the war undergoing back home when he visited Staten Island University Hospital where the injured Ukrainian solders are receiving care.

In the hospital room, Zelansky watched several soldiers in khaki uniform trying to use prosthetic arms and legs, AFP reported.

A visibly shaken Zelenky chatted with them and shook hands of those who had still hands.

Though depressing a scene he was witnessing, Zelensky tried to lift soldiers’ spirit by chatting up them.

When he asked one solider whether it was tough, there came the answer ‘A little’ .

Another soldier from Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region put on a brave face when the president asked after his health, saying "It's okay."

To this brave reply, Zelenky managed to say, ‘Stay strong’.

The clinic that helped a total of 35 soldiers previously is taking care of nine currently.

The Ukrainian-American NGO Kind Deeds supplies prostheses for war amputees, according to the report.

Before leaving the facility, Zelenky posed for photos with soldiers and one of them had prosthetics for arms whom Zelensky helped sit back afterwards.

As he was heading for the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Zelensky reportedly told soldiers ‘I wish you victory and to come back home.’